Blue zone, white lines: compliant?
Blue zone, white lines: compliant?
"I received a ticket for forgetting to put my parking disc in a blue zone in a shopping centre car park. The zone is signposted, but the parking lines are white. Don't the lines have to be blue? Can I contest this fine?
Michel, Meyrin
Pursuant to art. 5 of the Swiss Road Traffic Act (LCR), restrictions and regulations relating to motor vehicle and cycle traffic must be indicated by signs or markings if they do not apply to the whole of Switzerland. Article 27 LCR adds that everyone must obey the signs and markings and the orders of the police. Signs and markings take precedence over general rules; police orders take precedence over general rules, signs and markings.
In accordance with Art. 79 of the Road Signs and Signals Ordinance, parking spaces are marked with continuous lines. Partial markings may be used instead of solid lines. For spaces located in the "blue zone", the markings are blue or may be indicated by a special surface that is clearly distinguishable from the road surface.
The "parking with parking disc" and "end of parking with parking disc" signs indicate traffic areas where car drivers must use a parking disc. The "parking with parking disc" sign without any additional indication means that this is a "blue zone" and that on working days parking is limited for vehicles between 8am and 7pm. In principle, this sign should be supplemented by a blue marking. If the lines are white, the sign should therefore specify a different parking time from that applicable to blue zones.
In your case, the ticket you received was for "failing to place the parking disc on the vehicle" and the fact that it was a blue zone or a white zone with a time limit does not change the fact that you did not place the disc. If you wish to contest the fine, you may do so in writing within 30 days, in which case your case may be referred to the Police Court, but beware of the costs involved.
